Combination dish rack and tray

ABSTRACT

A storable combination dish rack and tray made unitarily from plastic and including at least three panels (preferably four) integrally hinged to one another, said panels being movable between a stored, folded position and a use, unfolded position. Support means provided on the upper surface of the panels to hold dishes and the like upright for drying are constructed and arranged so that they will not interfere with folding and storage of the dish rack and tray.

United States Patent 1191 Krause 14 Apr. 2, 1974 [5 COMBINATION DIsIIRACK AND TRAY 2,019,801 11/1935 Songer ..211/41ux [751ArthurA-Kraussflollywoodicalif- 1131 133 311333 231317.111..........illfii'J/ll [731 Assigneel 1 9" FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS MmneapohsMmn 1,449,785 7/1966 France ..211/132 [22] Filed:Aug. 21, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 282,285

[52] U.S. C1. 211/41, 211/132, 211/178 R [51] Int. Cl A47b 81/04 [58]Field of Search 211/41, 73,104,130,132,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,025,967 3/1962Christophersen 211/41 2,936,898 5/1960 Miguez 2,479,118 8/1949 Jenness211/41 3,640,379 2/1972 Weingarden 206/72 X 2,292,721 8/1942 Stanton206/72 2,459,921 1/1949 Comer 220/62 X 1,851,518 3/1932 McGovern 229/30X Primary ExaminerRoy D. Frazier Assistant Examiner-Thomas J. HolkoAttorney, Agent, or Firm--Molinare, Allegretti, Newitt & Witcofi [57]ABSTRACT A storable combination dish rack and tray made unitarily fromplastic and including at least three panels (preferably four) integrallyhinged to one another, said panels being movable between a stored,folded position and a use, unfolded position. Support means provided onthe upper surface of the panels to hold dishes and the like upright fordrying are constructed and arranged so that they will not interfere withfolding and storage of the dish rack and tray.

12 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures PATENTEUAPR 21914 3800 957 SHEET 2 0f 3ter.

. l COMBINATION DISH RACK AND TRAY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Thisinvention relates to a dish rack and tray and more particularly, to acombination dish rack and tray that can be folded to a compact form forstorage and readily unfolded for use.

It is known to utilize a folding dish drying rack to support dishes andthe like for drying. One prior rack was comprised of a plurality of wireelements forming segments that were pivotally connected to one anotherto provide a collapsible rack. An example of this type of rack is shownin Einhorn US. Pat. No. 2,516,088. Such rack was ordinarily placed on asink top or alternatively, on a separate tray member for directing thewater draining from the dishes, cups, bowls or the like into the sink.

In another arrangement, shown for example in Peters US. Pat. Nos.990,454, a collapsible dish drainer rack was associated with a pan orreceiving the drained wa- Later, a collapsible dish draining rack wasassociated with a substantially planar tray made for example from sheetmetal. The type of construction is illustrated in Jenness US. Pat. No.2,479,118.

Rigid dish racks molded from plastic have been used in the home.Theracks are not collapsible and therefore, storage of such racks can bedifficult. None of the prior art known to me comprises a combinationdish rack and tray readily molded integrally from plastic that can bereadily folded into a compact form for storage and then readily unfoldedfor use.

An object of the present is to provide an improved combination dish rackand tray wherein the disadvantages and deficiencies of priorconstructions are obviated.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedstorable dish rack and tray made unitarily from plastic and includingfour integrally hinged panels, the panels being provided with supportmeans for holding dishes and the like in position for draining of liquidtherefrom and the panels being constructed and arranged for ease offolding to facilitate storage in a small space.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedcombination dish rack and tray molded from plastic and comprising fourpanels integrally hinged to one another, wall means formed on the rearof each of the panels and at the sides of the outermost panels, thepanels and wall means being constructed and arranged to permit readyfolding for storage in a small space and ready unfolding for use. Otherobjects and advantages of the present invention will be made moreapparent hereafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING There is illustrated in the attacheddrawing presently preferred embodiments of the present invention whereinlike numerals in the various views refer to like elements and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the storable combination dishrack and tray of the present invention in folded position ready forstorage;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view from the right rear illustrating the dishrack and tray of the present invention unfolded and ready for use;

FIG. 3 is a detail cross-sectional view of the dish rack and tray takengenerally along the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the silverware holder of the present inventionshown prior to assembly;

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of the silverware holder of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the combination dish rack and tray;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the combination dish rack and tray takengenerally along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the combination dish rack and tray takengenerally along the line 8-8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9is a rear view of the combination dish rack and tray takengenerally along the line 88 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the combination dish rack and traytaken generally along the line l0l0 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is an end view of the silverware holder taken generally alongthe line 11-11 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged detail view of the latch for retaining thesilverware holder in assembled position taken generally in the area 12shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged detail view of the retaining member which engageswithin the latch shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a detail cross-sectional view of a modified combination dishrack and tray, such view being taken comparable to the area 14 shown inFIG. 10;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 15-15of FIG. 14; and FIG. 16 is a detail cross-sectional view of an integralhinge taken generally in the area 16 of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION Referring now to FIG. 1there is illustrated a combination dish rack and tray 10 embodying thepresent invention and illustrated in a folded condition ready forstorage. Preferably, the device 10 comprises panel members integrallymolded from plastic and hinged one to the other.

turning to FIG. 2 there is illustrated the combination dish rack andtray 10 unfolded for use. As shown the device 10 comprises panelsections l2, 13, 14 and 15 hingedly connected to one another along theadjoining or adjacent sides by hinge means l6, l7 and 18 formedintegrally therewith. Side wall means 20 and 22 are integrally formedwith the outermost panels 12 and 15 respectively. The side walls 20 and22 may be decoratively formedas for example, by scallops along the upperedge thereof, and are preferably inclined downwardly and inwardlyadjacent the front edge thereof so as to help guide any water drainingfrom the tray inwardly toward the sink or suitable receptacle.

Integrally formed with the side wall 20 is a rear wall 24. lntegrallyformed with the side wall 22 is a rear wall 26. The side walls 20 and 22respectively, merge smoothly with the rear walls 24 and 26,respectively. Separate rear wall means 28 and 30 are formed on the panel13 and 14 respectively. The rear wall segments 24, 26, 28 and 30 areseparate one from the other and are offset one from the other so as topermit interfitting relationship of the rear wall segments when the dishrack and tray is folded, as shown in FIG. 1. As illustrated, the panel30 is forward of the panel 28. Panel 28 is forward of the panel 26. Thepanel 26 is forward of the panel 24. The offsetting construction of rearwall parts aids in the folding of the combination dish rack and trayinto a compact organization.

As best shown in FIGS. 2, 6 and 8, support means for cups or the likeare positioned adjacent the side walls 20 and 22. The support meanscomprise rows of fingerlike elements 30, 32, 34 and 36 and 38, 40, 42and 44 which extend upwardly from the tray 12. The vertical extent ofthe support means 30, 32, 34, 36 is less than that of the side wall 20.Similarly, the support means 38, 40, 42 and 44 is less in verticalheight than the side wall 22. Vertically extending triangular rib means45, are provided generally transverse to the plane of each finger-likeelement to help rigidify them with respect to a respective side wall. Inuse, a cup with the open end down will be positioned over a respectivesupport means. The cup will be spaced from the bottom of the tray andthus freely drain water.

Also extending upwardly from the tray are support means for retainingdishes or the like in a generally upright position to facilitate betterdrainage of liquid.

. Such support means comprise a pair of like upright members 46 and 48each provided with a plurality of transversely aligned like recesses 49and 50. It will be understood that a dish may be inserted in a generallyvertical plane and retained in a pair of transversely aligned recesses,49, 50 in the uprights 46, 48. Preferably, the uprights 46 and 48 aremolded integrally with the panels 14 and respectively, and are supportedin the desired generally vertical use position by means of supportingribs 52, which may be triangular in elevation view. The upright members46 and 48 are constructed so that they will not interfere with foldingfrom the use position to the storage position. Specifically, the heightof the members 46 and 48 is less than that of the rear wall means 30.The member 46 is positioned on panel 14 and the member 48 is positionedon panel 15 such that the panels can be disposed at right angles withoutmember 48 contacting member 46.

7 Each ofthe panels 12, 13, 14 and 15 is provided with one or moresinuous ridges or raised projections 60 for rigidifying each panel andfor assisting in drainage of fluid or liquid from a bowl or the likelying on the panels' which cooperate to define a tray. As illustrated,each panel isprovided with two sinuous members 60 extendingsubstantially the entire length from front to rear of each panel. Forexample, in use, if the panels had planar tops, and a bowl were placedinverted onto the top of one or more panels, air would not reach theinterior thereof and there would be improper drying. With the raisedprojections or bulges 60, the top surface of each panel is not flat andair can reach the interior of the bowl or the like and thus enhance thedrying thereof. In addition, the projections 60 help to rigidify andprovide additional strength for each of the panels 12, 13, 14 and 15.

The combination dish rack and tray 10 may be retained in the storedposition by means of ancillary fastening means, as for example, a rubberband, strip, or the like positioned over the exterior. Alternatively,interlocking means may be provided on the device 10 for holding theparts in the stored position. A projection 62 can be formed on the sidewall 22 and be adapted to engage within a keyhole-like slot 64 or recessin the side wall 20. Other forms of retention will be evident to thosehaving skill in the art.

, v4 Extending upwardly from the base or top of the combination dishrack and tray is a silverware holder identified generally by the numeral68. The silverware holder 68 (FIGS. 2, 4, 5, 11, 12 and 13) is comprisedof four panels 70, 72, 74 and 76 joined together by integral hinge means71, 73 and 75. Extending outwardly from each of the panels 70, 72, 74and 76 is a wall segment 80, 81, 82 and 83 respectively, which are ofsuch a length as to be joined centrally so as to subdivide an assembledsilverware holder 68 into four sections. The silverware holder 68 isretained in assembled position shown in FIG. 2 by means of cooperatinginterlocking means on the panels and 76. The cooperating interlockingmeans or latch means comprise projections or extensions 86 on the panel76 which are adapted to be received within the cooperating retainers 87on the panel 70. The projections 86, which are each rib-like in form,extend substantially the entire length of the side of the panel 76 andthe cooperating latch means 87 are formed along the length of thepane1'70. The latch means may be substantially coextensive with the ribsor alternatively the latch means 87 may comprise cooperating lengths ofspaced apart portions as best seen in FIG. 1 1. In any event, there is afirm interengaging of parts 86 and 87 to hold the silverware holderassembled.

The dimensions of the panels 70, 72, 74 and 76are such that thesilverware holder 68 can be retained in position on device 10 when it isfolded forstorage. The holder 68 may be square as viewed in plan whenassembled, or it can be rectangular. In either event the walls or panelswill be proportioned so as to be less than the width of an associatede.g. panel 14, and less in height than adjacent panels 13 and 15. Theholder 68 is preferably molded from plastic, e.g. polypropylene. Ifdesired, the hinge can be made from polypropylene and molded intopolyethylene panels. The device 10 can be similarly fabricated frommolded polypropylene or a combination of polyethylene and polypropylene.

Complementary locating and retaining means are provided between thesilverware holder 68 and the tray of the combination dish rack and tray10. The locating and retaining means comprises upwardly extendingprojections 90 and 91 on the top of the panel 14 which cooperate withslots 92 and 93 formed in the walls'70 and 74 of the silverware holder68. The slots 92 and 93 are in the panels 70 and 74 as best illustratedin FIG. 5.

Turning now to FIG. 7, 8, 9 and 10 there is shown further details ofconstruction of the combination dish reck and tray 10. Extending fromthe bottom of the tray of the combination dish rack and tray 10 are aplurality of support means which are constructed and arranged so as toangle or tilt the base of the tray toward the front end. In the eventthe device 10 is supported on a horizontal flat surface, the device 10will be tiled toward the open end or front end to assure drainage ofliquid therefrom. As illustrated, the support means comprise a pluralityof half-moon projections 100, 101, 102, 103, and 104 which extend inalignment beneath each of the panels. As best seen in FIG. 7, there aretwo rows of projections beneath each of the panels 12, 13, 14 and 15which form the tray or base of the combination dish rack and tray. Thefronts of the panels are tapered or feathered to the forward end so asto form an outwardly inclined lip to facilitate draining of liquids fromthe tray.

With reference to FIG. 11 there is illustrated further detail of thesilverware holder 68. The divider wall 80, which is typical of the walls80, 81, 82 and 83, has a flat top and the lower portion thereof iscurved or contoured as illustrated in FIG. 11. Other shapes arepossible, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

In FIG. 16 there is illustrated a typical hinge between a pair ofadjacent panels. Preferably the lower surface or outer surface of thehinge is formed flat whereas the upper surface is intended approximatelytwo-thirds of the way. The indentation or recess 110 provides a meansfor folding of the hinge upon itself so as to permit a full 90 fold.Folding of the panels upon the hinges is easy and there is provided acompact package for storage when the panels are folded up as seen inFIG. 1. It is noted that the construction of the hinges between thepanels of the silverware holder is of the same basic design.

Turning to FIGS. 14 and 15 there is illustrated a modification of thesupport means for cups or the like. In this case the support members,for example the support member 132, extends upwardly from the base andthe support rib l45-is indented from the wall 122. In operation theprojection 132 performs the same purpose as the projection 32 and theonly difference is in the molding of the device 10.

There has been disclosed a presently preferred embodiment of the presentinvention which comprises a unitarily formed construction of four panelsintegrally hinged one upon the other and constructed and arranged suchthat silverware holder may be folded readily within the device. Thedevice is relatively inexpensive to fabricate and desirably providesa'combination of a dish rack and a tray in a single unit. If desired,the silverware holder may be fabricated integrally with the base oralternatively it may be fabricated as a separate unit. It will beunderstood that the maximum dimension or height of the silverware holderis less than that of the side walls to permit effective folding andstorage of the device.

While there has been shown and described a presently preferredembodiment of the present invention it will be understood that variouschanges and modifications may be made without departing from theinvention. Therefore, it is intended in the appended claims to cover allsuch changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scopeof the claims.

I claim:

l. A storable dish rack and tray comprised of at least three panelsintegrally hinged to one another, said panels being movable between astored, folded position and a use, unfolded position, wherein the panelsfrom a tray, first upright wall means along the outermost panels, firstsupport means on the underside of the panels for tilting the tray towardone end to assist drainage of liquid from the tray in use, secondsupport means on the top of at least one panel for retaining dishes andthe like generally upright for drainage, said second support means beingdimensioned so as not to interfere with the folding of the panels to acompact package and second upright wall means at the rear of each panelconstructed and arranged to interfit with one another to permitunhindered fold up and storage of the dish rack and tray after use.

2. A dish rack and tray as in claim 1 wherein the panels are eachgenerally rectangular in plan and are connected along adjoining sides byhinge means, the panels and hinge means being formed integrally fromplastic.

3. A dish rack and tray as in claim 2 wherein the plastic ispolypropylene.

4. A dish rack and tray as in claim 1 wherein the tray is imperforate.

5. A dish rack and tray as in claim 1 including a silverware holdercomprising wall means extending upwardly from the tray.

6. A dish rack and tray as in claim 5 wherein the silverware holder andtray are formed with complementary retention means, whereby thesilverware holder may be detachably retained on the tray.

7. A dish rack and tray as in claim 1 wherein raised means are providedon the top of the tray for adding support to the tray and for permittingdrainage of liquid from within partially enclosed items, as for example,glasses and bowls disposed in inverted fashion on the tray.

8. A dish rack and tray as in claim 1 including four panels.

9. A dish rack and tray as in claim 8 wherein the front of each panel isformed with an outwardly inclined lip to enhance draining of liquid fromthe tray.

10. A dish rack and tray as in claim 8 wherein the upright wall mans ofthe outermost panels are formed integral with the upright wall means atthe rear of each of said outermost panels, the upright wall means of thetwo intermediate panels being separate from the upright wall means ofthe outermost panels and from each other, and the upright wall means atthe rear each being offset from one another to permit interfitting ofthe wall means when the dish rack and tray are folded for use.

11. A dish rack and tray as in claim 10 including upright projectionsclosely adjacent upright wall means at the sides of the outermostpanels, said upright projections being adapted to cooperate with theassociated upright wall means to retain a glass or the like spaced fromthe upright wall means and from the tray to enhance draining liquid froma glass and facilitate drying of the glass.

12. A dish rack and tray as in claim 1 including cooperatinginterlocking means on the upright walls means of the outermost panelsengaging one another to retain the panels in stored, folded position.

1. A storable dish rack and tray comprised of at least three panelsintegrally hinged to one another, said panels being movable between astored, folded position and a use, unfolded position, wherein the panelsfrom a tray, first upright wall means along the outermost panels, firstsupport means on the underside of the panels for tilting the tray towardone end to assist drainage of liquid from the tray in use, secondsupport means on the top of at least one panel for retaining dishes andthe like generally upright for drainage, said second support means beingdimensioned so as not to interfere with the folding of the panels to acompact package and second upright wall means at the rear of each panelconstructed and arranged to interfit with one another to permitunhindered fold up and storage of the dish rack and tray after use.
 2. Adish rack and tray as in claim 1 wherein the panels are each generallyrectangular in plan and are connected along adjoining sides by hingemeans, the panels and hinge means being formed integrally from plastic.3. A dish rack and tray as in claim 2 wherein the plastic ispolypropylene.
 4. A dish rack and tray as in claim 1 wherein the tray isimperforate.
 5. A dish rack and tray as in claim 1 including asilverware holder comprising wall means extending upwardly from thetray.
 6. A dish rack and tray as in claim 5 wherein the silverwareholder and tray are formed with complementary retention means, wherebythe silverware holder may be detachably retained on the tray.
 7. A dishrack and tray as in claim 1 wherein raised means are provided on the topof the tray for adding support to the tray and for permitting drainageof liquid from within partially enclosed items, as for example, glassesand bowls disposed in inverted fashion on the tray.
 8. A dish rack andtray as in claim 1 including four panels.
 9. A dish rack and tray as inclaim 8 wherein the front of each panel is formed with an outwardlyinclined lip to enhance draining of liquid from the tray.
 10. A dishrack and tray as in claim 8 wherein the upright wall mans of theoutermost panels are formed integral with the upright wall means at therear of each of said outermost panels, the upright wall means of the twointermediate panels being separate from the upright wall means of theoutermost panels and from each other, and the upright wall means at therear each being offset from one another to permit interfitting of thewall means when the dish rack and tray are folded for use.
 11. A dishrack and tray as in claim 10 including upright projections closelyadjacent upright wall means at the sides of the outermost panels, saidupright projections being adapted to cooperate with the associatedupright wall means to retain a glass or the like spaced from the uprightwall means and from the tray to enhance draining liquid From a glass andfacilitate drying of the glass.
 12. A dish rack and tray as in claim 1including cooperating interlocking means on the upright walls means ofthe outermost panels engaging one another to retain the panels instored, folded position.